Census 2010

Maynardville has received documents from the census GIS mapping project and that each municipality/county was responsible for validation of the information. The census forms will be mailed out after March 10, 2010 but only to those who have street addresses. No P.O. Boxes will receive the forms. Please be sure if you have a P.O. Box to pick up a form or request one. It is very important for all to fill out and return these forms. Why is it so important? It helps with funding in our community. Census data directly affect how more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. That’s more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few minutes to fill out your census form will help ensure your community gets its fair share of federal and state funding.

Historical Preservation

The Chamber is currently working on gathering information about historical sites in Sharps Chapel so as to create a drive tour through to see these places. We are wanting to preserve the history found here and by doing so we can create a brochure with all these places. History is a part of our community and we would like to keep it alive. Not only do we want to preserve our history, but we would like to establish a Board of Historical Preservation for Union County.  If anyone is interested or has stories or knowledge of places, please feel free to contact us here at the Chamber at 992-2811 or just drop by.

Senator Corker Visits Union County

On Monday, June 15, 2009, Senator Bob Corker attended a breakfast and town meeting held at the senior center in Maynardville. The event was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and had several volunteers from the Maynardville Public Library. The boy scouts started the event by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. After a brief welcome by Mayor Larry Lay, Senator Corker stepped up and made a few introductions into ongoing discussions such as health care. A mixture of community leaders, elected officials, and business owners had the floor as they began a question and answer session with Senator Corker. Many questions were based on the health care issue. Dr. Bob Swisher brought up local issues of how high speed Internet could not be accessible to everyone and good roads. ”In schools,” he said, “it sets up discrimination because half of the class has the advantage of high speed Internet while the other half is at a disadvantage. ” Senator Corker responded to this by stating he was aware of this fact and that he would contact agents in the area who have contracts in the county and see what he could do about resolving these issues for Union County. Hazel Erickson asked how he (Senator Corker) felt about President Obama always apologizing for our great country. Ronnie Erickson asked how our health care system measured up to the European system and if the European system would be better in the United States. Senator Corker replied that he does not feel that the European system is better, but those countries use less of their GNP (Gross National Product) to fund health care.  Senator Corker answered questions with poise and confidence and if he could not answer the best way he said he would get more information on it and contact you later about it. Overall, the meeting and breakfast with Senator Corker went extrememly well.

Remote Area Medical (RAM)

The mission of the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Volunteer Corps is a non-profit, volunteer, airborne relief corps dedicated to serving mankind by providing free health care, dental care, eye care, veterinary services, and technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world. RAM will be in Maynardville, TN at Union County High School on November 14 and 15, 2009. They will be offering free dental, vision, and medical care. This program is a great opportunity for those who need medical attention. If you need more information contact Eddie Graham at (865) 992-5466 ext. 113. or you can also visit their website at www.ramusa.org

WSCC Classes at UCHS

Walters State Community College are offering classes at Union County High School until they have a WSCC building. As of right now, the classes are still being ironed out but tentatively: English Comp I & II, a couple of College Maths, a social studies, and a couple of sciences. Those who are interested in taking a class are asked to apply to WSCC and put Union County campus on their applications. They may also contact Linda Roberts or Connie Earls at (423) 585-2600 for more information or Susan Oaks at (865) 992-5466 ext# 0-144.

3-Star Plan

The 3-Star plan is a state plan that encourages economic growth, well-being, community beautification, and education. The plan has 1.67 million in Tax savings since 2005. You are welcome to review the plan at the office of the Chamber of Commerce. Our 3-Star plan is outlined by a 5yr. plan to establish a sustainable and prosperous county.

• Improve communications and awareness
• Enhance leadership and participation
• Improve cooperation and county unity
• Encourage growth in commercial and services
• Improve marketing and promotion
• Enhance local tourism assets
• Enhance health care and elderly services
• Improve community facilities
• Improve recreation and cultural opportunities
• Improve growth management through planning and zoning
• Develop additonal housing and improve neighborhoods
• Capitalize on State-sponsored community improvement programs
• Establish an Education Committee to help over come deficiencies and promote efforts
• Establish a Workforce Development Committee to enhance skills to workforce to compete for jobs
• Strengthen the county’s industrial recruiting efforts
• Encourage and nurture existing industries
• Improve highways
• Improve utilities ad telecommunications
• Strengthen the county’s agricultural industry
• Improve the general appearance of the county

Union County Going Green

On Wednesday, March 11, 2009, Goodwill celebrated its grand opening and along with that the idea of a recycling drop off. With the Union County Solid Waste Department, Goodwill sponsors the drop off recycling at the Goodwill Store at 3049 Maynardville Highway. The hours are Monday thru Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Acceptable items include: plastic drink and water bottles, plastic containers-milk jugs and detergent bottles, newsprint, magazines, phone books, office paper, aluminum and tin cans, and cardboard(flatten & tie). They ask to please rinse all cans and bottles before recycling. For more information contact Goodwill Recovery Facility at (423)-586-6514.

As Union County goes green so does our schools. Our schools have plans this upcoming school year to recycle milk jugs. More info will be later added. Also, students of Youth Leadership Union County partnered with Keep Union County Beautiful and several other organizations on Saturday, April 25, 2009, in a lakeshore, marina, and roadside clean-up. I believe the students of Youth Leadership Union County really enjoyed participating in this clean-up and felt it very effective. Stephanie Roper stated, “It’s crazy to think that there is that much trash being left around the lake, and I feel good knowing that I help keep our lake that much cleaner.”

LEPC

The Union County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is an independent organization established through federal Public Law 99-499, Sec 301(c), also known as The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986. The LEPC are composed of a broad base of community responsibilities and they have the responsibility for writing the County Emergency Management Plan and educating our citizens about disaster prevention. The projects for 2009 include a shelter-in-place education module for lower-school children called “Wally Wise-Guy” which features a turtle costume character to help reinforce the idea of sheltering in place during selected disasters and a school-year calendar with county emergency contact information to be distributed to all county school children. If you would like further information please contact Robert Swisher, Chairman, at (865) 278-1003 or email DocSwisher@aol.com

TEL (Tennessee Electric Library)

The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) is a virtual library that you can access anywhere through an internet connection. TEL provides access to over 400, 000 magazines, newspapers, essays, primary source materials, and lots more! TN residents can access TEL 24/7 free of charge. To begin your search, contact your local library and retrieve your password. If you have any questions concerning TEL, you can contact Chantay Collins of the Maynardville Public Library at (865) 992-7106 or email mayna2bk@comcast.net